Officiating for Aston Villa v Newcastle ‘the worst ever seen’ with controversy and mistakes

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe: “There is a lot to take in. The overriding feeling is that we are really pleased to be through. It was great character from the players to come back from a losing position. It is tough to win here at the best of times but being 1-0 down – I think we did well when we conceded that we didn’t allow the goal and the decision that allowed it to affect us and destabilise our performance. I thought we were unfortunate to go in 1-0 down.”

On the decisions that went against his side today: “It felt like it was one of those games that every decision was going against us. Of course it isn’t intentional but it was just one of those things that you have to accept. Our players did well to control their emotions and not get themselves sent off for something. It did feel strange. The penalty for handball, I could see it from where I was. It did feel like it was one of those days where it wasn’t going to happen. It’s not easy to play against 10 v 11 to break down a stubborn defensive unit and I think we did that really well in the second half.”

On Sandro Tonali getting back on the scoresheet: “Really pleasing. In Bruno’s [Guimaraes] absence we know we needed everyone to give more and I thought Sandro let by example in that respect. [Nick] Woltemade, is contribution in midfeild was really good today and Jacob Ramsey against his former club. So I thought ther ewas some really strong performances that we are going to ahve to carry forward into future games.”

On when Bruno Guimaraes will be back fit: “Around the next international break. The March international break that he will be back. He has a period of time now where he will have to work hard on his hamstring to make sure he is fully fit but we are looking at that period of time.”

On Yoane Wissa’s absence: “Just a little knock for Yoane in training yesterday. I don’t think it’s serious and don’t think he will be away too long.”

On how much he would like a FA Cup run: “It would be amazing to. We want to go as far as we can. We always take the cups seriously. There is a a massive prize at stake and the competition will really hot up in the latter stages. There are no easy draws for us.”

Howe says VAR has given referees something to hide behind:”I think there’s an argument to say that, because when VAR is there, there’s always a, ‘Well, I won’t give that, but let’s check it’.

“And I think then your decision-making maybe isn’t as sharp as it may normally have to be, so maybe there’s a difference there.

“I’m always torn on VAR. I said this many times because I still love the emotion, even tonight, when a goal is given and you don’t see a flag or a referee, it’s a goal, and no one’s going to take it away from you.

“That joy that you get in that moment, I still really love and VAR takes it away. But then on the other side, I was wishing there was VAR on the first goal against us, and probably throughout that game.

“I think it does give accurate results. It does make the game more concise in terms of decision-making and those moments, you have to respect that they’re worth their weight in gold, especially for us today, when we’re on the wrong side of it.

“So I’m still very much torn on it.

“The officials don’t make any [wrong] decision on purpose. It’s what they think at the time. But without VAR, I thought there was a lot of errors.”

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery: “To win a trophy is very difficult. To get it is through matches like today and with the circumstances like today that we had. How we competed today was really fantastic. Today, we played 45 minutes really good and how we were planning the match. With the red card, it became more difficult in the second half. We tried to compete. We tried to get our structure still working with one less playing and we competed but it was not enough because they had the power and they showed it and came with the result.”

On the red card: “I accept it like some things can happen.”

On whether Marco Bizot has said anything in the dressing room: “No. Nothing to complain. We made these mistakes but it was for all of us. Not just for the goalkeeper or Leon. We must get experience to try and correct it and to get better for the next decision that we will face.”

On Tammy Abraham scoring: “Very good. I think overall the energy, we showed a good energy and the supporters were shouting with us as well. A good mood in first 45 minutes and even in the second half. We accept it. Analyse it. Get the spaces that we have and keep going with the motivation that have to face.”

On still having the Premier League and Europa League to compete for: “The Europa League is important. Very important. We can get a trophy. It is going to be very difficult but we are very motivated. The Premier League is the priority. We are really fantastic in the table. We must be so proud of where we are in the table and everything we are doing. We have to focus and strongly prepare for each game.”

On February 1st, Unai Emery said VAR was “unfair” after cruelly intervening to deny a goal they scored in a Premier League defeat to Brentford.

But this weekend, he admitted that referees need the help of VAR when asked about the officiating of the FA Cup tie against Newcastle.

“Today, VAR makes sense. VAR is necessary to help the referees,” Emery added.

“We played a very competitive match. I was so, so happy about us in the first half. With the red card, and Newcastle scoring, it was more difficult for us.”

Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade: “I think first there was the offside, then a penalty and maybe another penalty. I think it is part of football. In the end we did well because we won but if it’s not like this then maybe the decisions [are spoken about more] but we don’t talk about it anymore because we won so it’s alright.”

On how good it felt for both he and Sandro Tonali to score: “We always sit together and I was saying to Sandy that he never scores and today he scored two. we always said it with Malick [Thiaw] and now he’s scoring goals. Nobody said it to me but I also scored today. We are both happy of course for me especially as I have had a long period where I haven’t scored and not played well so I’m happy with my performance and my goal and happy about our performance as well.”

Newcastle United captain Keiran Tripper speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “It always is [a rollercoaster] against Aston Villa, always a high tempo game. We’ve been under scrutiny a bit, but we regrouped after Brentford, we had a good talk with ourselves. just us players. Good win away from home, I’m delighted for Sandro [Tonali] to score, he’s been unbelievable for us.

“There’s no VAR – the penalty incident, I’m sure it was a penalty. But this is football, you have to react to disappointments, and we did that. Villa posed a threat with 10 men but that third goal was crucial.

“We looked at ourselves as players in the dressing room [after the Brentford defeat],but also for the manager. I’ve known him over half my life. You see all this stuff on social media which he doesn’t deserve. We are fully behind him and a fully playing for him.